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08 Nov Benefits of Neighborhood Hardware Stores

As 10th Street Hardware celebrates 10 years of providing quality hardware, paint, housewares, tools, electrical supplies, outdoor and seasonal items and cleaning/maintenance supplies to Philadelphia’s Washington Square West community, Hardware Retailing Magazine has detailed a cover story on the success that Troy Usnik and Steve DeShong have had in serving the needs of residential and business customers <http://www.hardwareretailing.com/after-10-years-3rd-street-hardware-looks-to-new-beginnings/>

In the 1980’s Washington Square West Hardware and Paint was established in the current location to serve the needs of the professional contractors who were rebuilding and rehabilitating the surrounding dilapidated row houses and apartment buildings. As the number of Washington Square West residents expanded, Troy and Steve purchased the business that Troy had been working in for 20 years. In 2007, they rebranded the operation as 10th Street Hardware with a dual focus on professionals and the residents in this popular residential community.

The busy urban shopper does not have time to travel to and navigate the big box retailers. They want what they need, when they need it and 10th Street Hardware has catered to the everyday product needs with over 10,000 product SKUs packed into 1,100 square feet at 257 S 10th Street (between Spruce and Locust Streets). Everything that is needed for daily activities and household projects can be obtained in a matter of minutes.

The 10th Street Hardware staff members are always available to help find what is needed or answer questions on how to use the many products offered in the store. The staff also has access to an additional 100,000 SKUs that can be ordered and shipped to the store for pick up (in most cases within 2 days).

Hardware Retailing identified the attention to customer needs that is paid to everyone who walks in the door as an advantage that cannot be matched by bigger rivals. The publication also recognized that 3rd Street Hardware has done an effective job of connecting with the surrounding community and identifying the products that are in demand. The services provided by the staff such as key copies, glass and plexi cutting, custom paint mixing, and custom cutting for lumber and pvc can be completed in a matter of minutes…fitting the schedule of busy consumers and contractors.

Recent changes to the 10th Street Hardware inventory and pricing approach have made it possible to get household products that you need at competitive pricing. In some cases, comparative shoppers have noticed that the product that they need is actually lower than larger competitor prices.

Because of the location, the number one category in demand is housewares and items that are needed for everyday apartment living. The early morning and evening hours Monday through Friday allow residents to shop before and after work, and the weekend hours provide 7 day-a-week opportunities for customers to shop when it fits their schedule. In addition, professional contractors and maintenance staff are able to quickly get what is needed for their current projects right in the neighborhood.

When factoring in the time and expense of traveling to alternative locations, shopping at 10th Street Hardware and the newly opened 3rd Street Hardware is a value proposition for area residents.